What happened
During the final approach phase at Bedford-Hanscom Field Airport, a four-engine aircraft experienced a loss of altitude that went unnoticed by the pilot-in-command. As the plane descended, it collided with several telephone poles before entering a stall. The descent continued until the aircraft impacted a boulder located approximately 2,657 feet before reaching the runway threshold.
The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were three fatalities among the crew members on board, with no survivors reported from the flight.
Findings
- The pilot-in-command failed to maintain sufficient altitude during the approach.
- Insufficient altitude during final approach led to the collision with ground obstacles and subsequent stall.